Rory McIlroy has a ‘lot more to achieve’ after being named Sports Personality of the Year
The golf icon was handed the award after completing his Grand Slam and winning the Ryder Cup this year
Rory McIlroy has insisted there is still plenty more he wants to accomplish after being named Sports Personality of the Year, capping what he described as an “incredible” 2025.
The Northern Irishman was honoured at Thursday’s ceremony in Salford after a year that saw him finally complete golf’s career Grand Slam.
McIlroy became only the sixth man to achieve the feat by winning the Masters in April, holding his nerve in a dramatic finish at Augusta National.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do in 2026 to top it but I’m going to try,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.
“I’ve got a nice little bit of time off over Christmas and New Year and I think that’s the time to maybe put the highlights on and watch it back and reflect.
“It’s been an incredible 12 months and I want to enjoy everything that I’ve done, but at the same time, this isn’t it for me – I have got a lot more I want to achieve.”
At 36, McIlroy finally claimed the green jacket that had eluded him for more than a decade. His Masters triumph came 14 years after his painful collapse at Augusta in 2011, when he led by four shots heading into the final round. This time, he prevailed in a play-off after being pushed all the way by Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose.
That victory placed McIlroy alongside Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to have won all four majors during their careers.
His success did not stop there. McIlroy also played a central role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in September, contributing three-and-a-half points as the team secured a first win on American soil since 2012.
He went on to claim a seventh Race to Dubai title, his fourth in succession, leaving him just one short of Colin Montgomerie’s European Tour record.
Asked whether he is eyeing Montgomerie’s mark in 2026, McIlroy made clear the motivation remains as strong as ever.
“I’d love to give that a go. I still feel like I have a good few years in me. Knock on wood I’ve been injury-free.
“I’ve been on tour for half my life – 18 years – but I still feel the enthusiasm for the game.
“Majors, more Ryder Cups, all that is great but like Tommy [Fleetwood] said as long as you feel you still have that drive to keep on getting better then that’s the most important thing.”
McIlroy collected the Sports Personality of the Year award alongside close friend Fleetwood, with the pair also representing Europe as they received the Team of the Year honour following their Ryder Cup success.